Kalindawalo stripped, 2nd Edition

The Nsenga Cultural Association has commended President Sata for withdrawing the recognition of Mr. Everson Mumba as Senior Chief Kalindawalo. Association Chairperson Stephen Mwale says the Mr Mumba's rise to the throne was a source of upheavals. More detail via ZNBC. 

Kalindawalo stripped!

President Sata has withdrawn the recognition of Everson Mumba as Senior Chief Kalindawalo of the Nsenga people in Petauke District. The withdrawal is according to Statutory Instrument No. 77 of 2012 dated November 14, 2012. President Sata has since directed Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkandu Luo to travel to Petauke District in Eastern Province and convene a meeting.

Last month, during the Tuwimba traditional ceremony, senior chief Kalindawalo appealed to the Government to intervene in the wrangle surrounding his chieftaincy. Nine of the 10 Nsenga chiefs had shunned the ceremony which was held at the palace while last year, the majority of the Nsenga chiefs boycotted the annual event because of continued differences. It is unclear whether he expected to be removed!

The Chiefs Act (1965) empowers the President with the ability to recognise and withdraw recognition of Chiefs. The law was put in place by KK to control chiefs. It is a legacy of colonialism and early independence threats to the Republic. Surprisingly this has not been challenged by chiefs. It is clearly not in the interest of politicians to change it.

Barotseland woes!

Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Ngambela Clement Sinyinda resigned his position last week citing lack of cooperation from the Litunga. In his resignation letter dated November 10, 2012 Mr Sinyinda said the Litunga neither sufficiently protected his office nor accorded it the authority that it deserved : “In my own humble understanding, Your Majesty, the Ngambela’s office is higher than that of the Indunas and Likombwas who, under normal circumstances, ought to recognise the authority and direction of the sitting Sope (Prime Minister),” he said in the letter addressed to the Litunga. The Ngambela wondered why such authority was being flouted with the knowledge of the Litunga who he said showed little sign to protect him.

His resignation was welcomed by the Royal  houses of the Mbunda and Nkoya tribes have welcomed the resignation of Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Ngambela Clement Sinyinda. They regarded him as impediment to the process of dialogue with Government over the Barotseland Agreement. Chief Chiyengele (Mbunda)said, "We the Mbundas feel that his resignation is an issue that cannot go without commenting on. The Ngambela was someone very oppressive to other native tribes of Western Province and it is good that he has resigned..” The Nkoya Cultural Association, noted that "this decision has been long overdue, because he should have left a long time ago. If we look at the confusion and the fracas surrounding this issue, he (Ngambela) is the one responsible because of his line of thinking in calling for secession…”

The basic story in Barotseland is that whilst the Litunga wants more control over the affairs of his region, he is not interested in independence because it will bring little benefit to him. It will diminish his power significantly because any new State would have to be on a democratic footing. It is noticeable that no new separatist state has been created in the world in recent times with a monarchical rule. The other issue is economics. The Litunga would be presiding of a landlocked and poor region perpetually dependent on outsiders. For these reasons he has been trying to steer a reconciliatory tone with Government. Something that Clement Sinyinda opposed. Hence the latest severance.

A crime of poverty?

"What crime has Mwinuna chiefdom committed to suffer like this? Out of the fifteen chiefs in the Copperbelt, only my palace lacks electricity. We only get to hear about current affairs when we go to town"

Chief Mwinuna (Lima, Mpongwe) complaining during the recently held Nsengele Kununka ceremony. His chiefdom has no electricity, mobile phone services, television and radio signal. The Chief also lamented that FRA has failed to pay farmers in his chiefdom for the maize that they had sold from the previous farming season so they could not buy fertiliser in preparation of this season.

Restoration of the Native Authority Act?

Chief Chibesakunda and other chiefs are calling for the restoration of the Native Authority Act to enable chiefs to participate actively in the development of rural areas. He says that this will restore respect for chiefs and enable them create village industries which can add value to agricultural products produced by local people. This would of course require the repeal of the Chiefs Act (1965) something that the politicians would be very wary of doing.